An defence minister has stated that the MoD is currently examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese cars, while staff have been instructed to avoid talking about classified matters in all vehicles.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
In a recently aired appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD officials have been told not to talk about secret material while travelling in China-made cars.
He said that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, but stressed that security is a concern in every contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
But regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any vehicle, due to the growing threats of eavesdropping that are present in every single automobile, to restrict those secret talks in protected areas. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Context
This announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The wider security environment highlights the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in every areas of government operations, including vehicle use to communication habits.
